Summary:

What if Coin convinced Haymitch, Plutarch and the tributes to save Peeta instead of Katniss during the Quarter Quell? What would happen?

" But Katniss… This is Peeta! You know him… He wouldn't do that! "

" Oh yeah, I know him. I do. He totally would. "

She laughed and turned away from Haymitch.

Chapter one : Why am I still alive?

Peeta was running, slowed down by his fake leg. He just killed Brutus and was now trying to find a way to get to Katniss. He heard his name screamed by her, revolving in the arena. So he ran, he ran as fast as his body allowed him, going towards the origin of the sound. Probably, heading towards the tree wasn't a good idea, as in a few moments, the thunder would hit it. He knew he shouldn't be going there, but he really didn't give a shit. All he wanted was to save Katniss, for her to win this Quarter Quell and go back to District 12.

He was out of breath, chocking, but he just couldn't stop running. It was unthinkable, the girl he loved was yelling his name, again and again in a strangled voice. This was not a time to be weak, he had to find her, really fast. He heard another scream from Katniss, but she wasn't screaming his name anymore.

Thunder hit the tree and Peeta could see a lightened line fly through the sky. What in hell? Then, in front of his shocked eyes, the line touched what seemed to be the arena's ceiling, sending a wave of light thought the whole dome. A big hole appeared, bad news. Peeta stared at the small piece of sky that peeked through the opening, at this white moon that was looking back at him. He shook his head, now was not the time. The Capitol had probably sent hovercrafts full of peacemakers, to kill every single survivor. Plus, the arena could fall anytime soon.

Peeta ran again, now jogging through the jungle, towards the big tree, overwhelmed by the turn of events. It had obviously been one of Katniss' arrows that flew and broke the ceiling. Why did she do that? Why? Snow saw it, and she was definitely about to die.

He saw Beetee, convulsing on the ground, but no sign of Katniss. Where did she go?

" Katniss! Katniss! Where are you?! Pease answer me! " He screamed on the top of his lungs

No one answered, except dead silence and birds tweeting. He felt the tide of despair running through his whole mind and body. He was sure that Katniss shot that arrow and destroyed the arena. But then where was she? What about Finnick and Johanna? One part of the dome fell, but it was nowhere close from his location, so he kept looking for her.

" Katniss! Katniss it's Peeta! Katniss please ! " He yelled, running.

He was feeling upset about himself, failing at protecting the girl he loved, and he felt this anger, this angst spread in his veins. He was panting hard, then a rock hit the back of his head. He put a hand to the injured area, a scream escaping his mouth. He had his sword out and ready, but Johanna was already sitting on his belly, an ax on the delicate skin of his throat.

" So lover boy, where is she? The girl on fire? " Johanna said, smirking.

" I have no idea! You'll never find her! " Peeta screamed, glaring at her.

" So sad you lost her on your way… Ha, ha! Shut up now. " She answered, laughing like crazy.

She pulled a knife out of her belt, smaller and sharper than the one under his throat, and cut Peeta's right forearm. It was slow and painful, so slow… He didn't even try to move Johanna because of the knife under his throat, that could kill him anytime. He tried to remain silent and bit the inside of his cheek. Johanna smiled devilishly.

" Why don't you just kill me now? " He asked, panting.

" Oh no, no, no! That is not what I want handsome! Not now! " She said, smiling.

She stared at him, and Peeta had no clue what she was thinking about, and just stared back. Suddenly, her lips were on his, as she put pressure on his jaw to make him open his mouth. Then, she kissed him deeply, tasting blood with her tongue. What was happening? The pain in Peeta's arm was still awful. Then, he connected the dots in his head. His tracker! She took off his tracker! Well done, good job there Johanna. She then hit him on his temple, on the perfect spot and he fell unconscious. Johanna was now obviously walking away with his tracker. But to Peeta, everything was dark, he could still hear noises but not open his eyes yet. He didn't know how long it took him to do so, but the only thing that came to his mind was her.

" KATNISS ! " He yelled, desperate.

He still had to save her, to protect her. And maybe shouting her name would bring the other tributes here, leaving her some time to run away and maybe escape the arena. This was all he could do for her anyway.

" Come on Katniss! I'm here! Katniss " He kept screaming.

Then he saw it, the huge hovercraft just above his head. He stared at it, frozen by fear. He was about to die. And Katniss would not live long if they found her. He tried to move, but Johanna's hit enabled him to just stand up. All he could do was pray for Katniss' safety. He hoped she thought of getting rid of her tracker and ran away. But even if she did… Where could she run?

" Well… Here we are. " He sighed, closing his eyes.

He barely felt his body leave the ground. When he opened his eyes again, he was in the hovercraft, with Beetee lying unconscious by his side. The fact alone that he was able to breathe was unbelievable. He noticed a bandage on his right arm and stood up, a big headache pounding on his temple. He whimpered in pain and reached the exit of the room, stumbling. No guards? Wasn't he on an hovercraft? From the Capitol? Why did they even heal him? Why wasn't he dead? he walked in a bright corridor, making him frown, and stopped in front of a tinted glass door. He could hear voices coming from the inside. There was an argue, he guessed, because the people in there were shouting. He got closer silently, and the door slid open.

" I won't say anything! It wasn't my idea after all! " Finnick shouted, a hand in front of him.

" You were okay with th- Peeta?! You're awake? How do you feel? " Plutarch Heavensbee asked, surprised.

The ex game-maker took a step closer to Peeta, steadying a comforting and reassuring hand on his shoulder. But Peeta didn't answer him. His eyes settled on Finnick, that seemed totally broken and torn, then on Haymitch, which seemed sober than usual.

" Where is Katniss? " Peeta asked, his voice trembling.

" Peeta, we wanted to save you both, but we couldn't take the risk t- " Plutarch started.

" Where is she?! " Peeta stopped him.

" We had to save one of you, and she wasn't here when she arrived. " Plutarch continued.

He just ignored the man in front of him, pushing him aside, and walked towards Haymitch. The old man was holding his hands above his head, as if he was about to get arrested, or hit.

" Peeta, this is the revolution, and we wanted to make you both leave the arena. Plutarch and half of the tributes were on it. " Haymitch said, staring at the blond.

So that was the reason the morphling sacrificed herself. The reason why Finnick helped them, why Johanna took his tracker and saved Beetee and Wiress for Katniss. Everything was clear in Peeta's mind now.

" You promised me! You said you'd save her over me! " Peeta screamed, taking a step closer to his ex-mentor.

" That's right… But hum, I promised Katniss the same thing. You were here when we got in the arena, and Katniss' tracker pointed way too far. "

Peeta's eyes widened, then he shot a death glare at Finnick. After all, he was one of the tributes who didn't want him to take the coil with Katniss, he had insisted for them to part.

" Why did you make us… part? " Peeta asked in a low voice.

The other blond didn't answer, and just gave him an apologizing and scared look.

" Where is she Haymitch? " Peeta said, turning towards his mentor again.

" … Peeta. Calm down. "

" Haymitch… Please, answer. "

" Peeta… " Haymitch said, almost begging.

" WHERE IS SHE?! " The boy yelled, jumping on his mentor.

Plutarch took a hold on one of Peeta's arm, trying to unable him to murder Haymitch. The boy shot him a dark glare and turned his attention back on his mentor. This fucking betrayer…

" Where is she?! " He kept asking.

" Johanna took your tracker off. And… "

" Where… is Katniss? " Peeta asked again, his voice trembling from the anger.

Finnick was now facing the wall, a hand on his eyes. Plutarch's hold on Peeta's arm tightened as the boy kept asking the same thing, over and over again, like a possessed, like a madman.

" WHERE IS KATNISS ?! " He shouted, out of breath.

" They got her and Johanna. She's in the Capitol. " Haymitch said, looking down at his feet.

Peeta was petrified, from head to toes. His eyes were wide open, staring at an invisible point. His brain was making him understand that what he feared happened; Katniss was about to die.

" She's in the capitol?! You fucking promised Haymitch! You told me that you'd save her! " He screamed.

" Peeta, listen, I "

" No! Why did you do that?! Did you lose your mind? She's the mockingjay! What were you thinking about when you chose to save me?! " Peeta kept screaming, tears going down his cheeks.

" I didn't! I have no power where we're going! Not even a bit! " Haymitch yelled back.

" In 12? You know the mayor, don't lie! You could have tell him to save Katniss! "

" We are heading to District 13. " Plutarch said.

Peeta flip-flopped, now facing the ex blond boy was looking crazy, totally out of his mind, sweat forming on his forehead.

" What are you saying? " Peeta said, laughing nervously. " We're going to 13?! Does it even exist?! " He made a pause and searched for Haymitch's eyes. " Why not in 12? "

" They sent hovercrafts when Katniss hit the ceiling of the arena with her arrow. They sent firebombs. " Haymitch explained, his head hanging low.

" W… What?! " Peeta squealed, crying his eyes out.

His legs couldn't support him anymore, and the boy had to take a few steps back to regain his balance. His headache came back, making him growl loudly. This stupid bitch Johanna got him good.

" I'm truly sorry Peeta… " Haymitch said.

" But… We could find survivor! There must be some! We have to go to 12! "

" There is no survivor. " Haymitch announced. " Only ruins and burnt bodies. The few that are still alive are in 13 now. "

" What about Katniss' family? Are they alive? Are they okay? " Peeta asked, worried.

" Yes, they're in 13. Gale took all the survivors there, he's a hero. "

Peeta looked at Finnick, that seemed on the edge of breaking in tears. Why was he like that? Did things happen in 4 too?

" What's wrong Finnick? " Peeta asked.

" What's wrong? I don't know what happened to Annie… I just… Don't know anything! " The blond answered, shaking.

" You should rest Peeta. We'll talk about of all this with Coin. " Plutarch said.

" Coin? Who is that? "

" You'll see. " Plutarch answered, calmly.

Peeta nodded, suddenly exhausted, and walked like a ghost back to where he woke up. Beetee hadn't move, not even a little bit. The blond boy sat on a bed, trying to stay calm. Katniss was in the Capitol, mostly being tortured, and there was nothing he could do about that, because they were heading towards the opposite direction. To District 13. He didn't know if his own family survived, but learned that District 12 had been destroyed. None of these information were good to hear. He tried to relax, but his heart beat was way too fast, way too strong, as if the muscle wanted to escape his torso. He lied on the bed and stared at the ceiling, focusing on his breathing. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, again and again.

" Oh Katniss… I am so sorry. " He murmured.

His eyelids felt so heavy… He closed his eyes and tried to send a thought to Katniss. Trying to make her understand that she wasn't alone, even if she desperately was. Trying to tell her that he would do all he could to bring her back.

This was not supposed to happen. He should be dead, or in the Capitol. And Katniss should be the one here, heading to 13 to see her family. She should be here, instead of him. Tears wanted to burst out, but Peeta didn't cry. He focused on what he had to say to this "Coin" when the hovercraft would land in 13.

NDA : My first fiction here :)

I am rewriting every chapter in the regular way.

I'll try posting a chapter twice a month at least on fridays, or at least I'll try (haha)

So sorry if my english sucks sometimes, but I'm a french student that's trying her best.

Hope you enjoyed it,

Thanks for reading me and see you in the next chapter.

Bisous. :)